Saghmosavank Monastery

Saghmosavank monastery was built at the edge of Kasagh river's gorge, atop its right side. The monastery was mentioned in written sources from the Middle Ages and its entire complex was completed in the first half of the XIIIth century by Vache and Qurd Vachutyan. The complex includes the churches of St.Zion (1215) and St.Astvatsatsin (1235), a gavit (1215-1235) and a library.
Noteworthy is a rare library-church built by prince Qurd Vachutyan in 1255. Qurd Vachutyan and his wife Khorishah built it in memory of their daughter Mamakhatun who passed away at a young age. The altar is located in the eastern part of the church and a two-story vestry is in the south-eastern corner. There are two entrances that lead from the library to the gavit and St.Astvatsatsin church where one can enter only through this door. A bas-relief sculpture of a rising sun can be found on the library's wall. A sculpture of an angel and Vachutyan family's coat of arms, an eagle with a lamb in its claws, are on the adjacent arch.
For a certain period of time Grigor Tatevatsi taught at a school established at Saghmosavank. The monastery was also a writing center, and some of the manuscripts written and copied here have reached our days. Notable are the 'Collection of sermons' copied by scribes Markos and Mkhitar, 'Mashtots' copied by archimandrite Karapet, and the 'Gospel Book' copied by friar Hovhannes.
Old tombstones – some of them decorated with carved cross-stones – are scattered around Saghmosavank and its adjacent cemetery. The cross-stones with pedestals are the most valuable.

We believe that Armenian cultural heritage needs to be shown the World in its own way and present with completely new quality. 360GREATARMENIA is platform to represent 360 Touristic Virtual Armenia in totally new level and presentation multimedia style.